OneKC for Women > Alliances > Women's Employment Network > About Us > Our History
Our History
Women's Employment Network (WEN) was founded in 1986 by legendary Kansas City leaders, Beth K. Smith and Marjorie Powell Allen. They were inspired by a successful women-focused employment program in San Antonio that emphasized self-esteem. Realizing the need for this vital service in Kansas City, they created the Women's Employment Network, the only organization of its kind in the area. Since our founding, WEN has continued to work toward the mission and vision of its founders and has played an important role in the professional growth of women in Kansas City.
Over the past three decades, thousands more have benefited from WEN’s program, services, and community referrals. WEN believes that when you give women the support to build a foundation for their futures, potential, and well-being, you also strengthen the foundation for the entire community. WEN's holistic approach aims to help women reach their fullest potential beyond unemployment, underemployment, and cyclical poverty not only by helping them find work, but assisting in the development of personal strengths, understanding and realizing attainable goals, guiding through the debt reduction process, and helping build healthy credit and personal finance skills over time. At WEN, we help women earn a brighter future for themselves, their families, and our community.
WEN Co-Founders, Beth K. Smith & Marjorie Powell Allen
About WEN's Founders
Beth K. Smith (1921-2017) consistently worked to help women in Kansas City reach their full personal and professional potential. Smith created organizations that aim to promote equity, inspire confidence and foster economic independence for women. She was instrumental in founding the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership. After receiving her M.P.A. from the UMKC Bloch School in ’76, Beth served as an adjunct professor at the school and established the Edward Smith internships to encourage students to pursue careers at nonprofits in Kansas City.
Marjorie Powell Allen (1929-1992) had the heart of a social reformer and the talent for attracting other women to her ideas for making Kansas City better. Her special interest was philanthropic groups that could bring together indigent women with the well-to-do women who could provide opportunities and services. She was the first woman to chair the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and the University of Kansas City Trustees, and she was voted Philanthropist of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Council on Philanthropy in 1988. She also provided funds for Powell Gardens.
Together, Beth and Marjorie co-founded the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City,(now United WE), the Central Exchange, and, in 1986, the Women’s Employment Network (WEN). Six years later, Marjorie died, but her worked continued with Beth to lead WEN into the future. In 2017, we lost Beth. The legacy of these two women bring us to our 35th Anniversary celebration and beyond.
35th Anniversary - Sherry Turner
WEN Celebrates 35th Anniversary
For 35 years, WEN has empowered women to realize their true potential. The tenacity of these women plus the persistence of WEN have created a formula for success. This PERSEVERANCE has resulted in over three decades of success.
In 2021, we’re recognizing donors all through the year to honor this special milestone in our mission’s history. This benchmark year of giving is our moment to show you that your support matters to us and to the women we serve.
